The Home of Irish Music
Doolin is widely regarded as the home of Irish music. Music has always been an integral part of life in Doolin, due to its remote location, which strengthened community ties and ensured that traditions such as the Irish language, music, dancing were maintained.
Doolin’s musical heritage was first recorded in the 1920s/1930s by Seamus Delargy, a famous collector of folklore. Other music collectors followed in the next decades to record the magical music that flowed through the village’s veins. These recordings were broadcast on radio and attracted more music fans and visitors to our village.
Micho Russell’s music was and is beautifully bare-boned, cleaving to its roots and yet indisputably flighty: free as a bird. A delight. (Siobhan Long, The Irish Times)
Micho Russell was an integral part of Doolin’s musical scene and its most famous exponent, appearing on radio and TV in the 1970s, and attracting many visitors to the area to sample the Doolin way of life. And continuing the tradition to modern day, each February since 1995, Doolin is host to the Russell Memorial Weekend which sees musicians from all over Ireland gather in Doolin for a weekend of magical music.
Other musical festivals held annually in Doolin include The Doolin Folk Festival, held each June; and in October each year, Gus O’Connor’s Sean Nós Weekend.
Doolin continues to attract leading performers for unforgettable sessions. Music is performed in all pubs in Doolin throughout the year and promises to be an unforgettable highlight of your trip.